Please contact Dr. Gibbens and demand that he take immediate action
against the Santa Cruz Biotech company for all violations of the animal
Welfare Act. Be sure to insist on severe penalties because
negligence at this lab has killed several goats and caused others to
suffer horribly.

SANTA CRUZ, CA – Recently obtained federal reports reveal the USDA has
again cited staff of the Santa Cruz Biotech lab for multiple violations
of the federal Animal Welfare Act relevant to incidents which took the
lives of several animals and caused severe suffering to others.

Two separate inspection reports reveal multiple direct and repeat
violations of federal law. Additionally recent correspondence from
the USDA reveals that their enforcement division is preparing a major
case against this repeat violator of federal law.

A five page USDA inspection dated 3/6/12 cites Santa Cruz Biotech for
multiple violations in areas of research protocol procedures and
veterinary care. The follow-up inspection performed on 4/19/12
again cites the lab for multiple violations in a scathing documentation
of inadequate veterinary care and negligence.

The April inspection documents one goat with a leg fracture with one
part of the leg “moving independently from the rest of the leg when the
goat walked.” Another animal had an untreated fracture. A third
goat had a serious skin condition which went untreated until euthanasia.

Recently obtained USDA correspondence reveals that the Investigation and
Enforcement Services division of the USDA has an ongoing case against
the Santa Cruz lab.

Stop Animal Exploitation Now, who first revealed the violations of
federal law at Santa Cruz Biotech in an April 2011 news conference, has
again contacted the USDA to insist on prosecution.

In the Santa Cruz Biotech fine request, sent to Dr. Robert Gibbens,
Direct of the USDA/APHIS/AC’s Western Regional Office, Michael A.
Budkie, A.H.T., states “This kind of extreme negligence constitutes a
clear and present danger to the roughly 10,000 goats and 6000 rabbits at
this facility. Therefore, I must insist that this facility receive
the largest fine allowable by law at the conclusion of the current USDA
investigation.”

All USDA inspection reports and correspondence are available upon
request.